The President held a meeting with the public of the Karaganda region
At a meeting with the public of the Karaganda region, the Head of State noted that he had arrived to get acquainted with the life of the region and discuss its problems. At the beginning of his speech, the President focused on the role of the region in the history and spiritual life of the country.
– It is known that Karaganda has natural resources. The region, located in the heart of Saryarka, is also famous for its spiritual heritage. This region, where many historical events unfolded in the past, is the birthplace of many outstanding figures. The leaders of the movement Alash Alikhan Bokeikhan, Zhakyp Akbayev, Alimkhan Ermekov were born on the Karaganda land. The local places where Tattimbet's kui and Madi's songs were first performed are considered the sacred cradle of Kazakh art. Our great writers Saken Seifullin, Gabiden Mustafin, Kasym Amanzholov were born on this fertile land. There are many natural attractions on the territory of the region. From time immemorial, Kazakhs have revered Karkaraly and Shaitankol, Mountains Bektau Ata and Bugyly-Tagyly. The region, whose land is rich in cultural monuments, and the subsoil is rich in minerals, rightfully occupies a special place in our country," the Head of State said.
In the speech, it was noted that the mining and metallurgical and coal-mining industries of the Karaganda region play an important role in the development of the economic potential of Kazakhstan. A third of coal, about half of the country's copper and more than 85% of steel are produced here.
– The region is the locomotive of the industrial sector of the country. The region is developing dynamically and maintains stable growth in all sectors of the economy. We clearly adhere to the principle of "strong regions are a strong country," the President said.
The Head of State stated that he pays constant attention to the Karaganda region, and outlined priority areas for the development of the region.
– The first. Support for the manufacturing industry. In the total volume of industrial production of the region, the share of the manufacturing sector is 80%. According to this indicator, the region is in the leading positions in the country. At the same time, the region has broad prospects for development in this direction," Kassym–Jomart Tokayev said.
The Head of State recalled that at an expanded meeting of the Government in July this year, he spoke about the need for more substantive work on the formation of a pool of investment projects in the manufacturing industry. According to the President, the diversification of the domestic economy is becoming even more urgent given the difficult geopolitical situation and unstable global economic environment. At the same time, the task of the state is to create favorable conditions for increasing the production of goods of medium and upper grades.
– A number of promising industrial projects are already being implemented in the Karaganda region on the territory of the Saryarka special economic zone and the Saran industrial zone, large enterprises have been launched. They can and should act as platforms for relaxation of foreign companies. Only the appropriate conditions are needed. Therefore, the Government is instructed to complete the formation of the infrastructure of the Saran industrial zone in 2023," Kassym–Jomart Tokayev said.
The Head of State dwelt in detail on the prospects of the transit and transport potential and road infrastructure of the region.
– It is obvious that the quality of highways should contribute to the development of the region. Now the Center–South transport corridor is being created. The construction of the road passing through the city of Balkhash is very slow, the deadlines have been postponed more than once. I instruct the Government to complete the construction of the Karaganda– Balkhash and Balkhash– Burulbaital highways next year. The Karaganda– Zhezkazgan highway with a length of more than 500 kilometers is also important. Its repair will improve communication with the central districts and increase cargo traffic. This will give an impetus to the development of the Ulytau region. The investment and tourism potential of the two regions will increase. It is necessary to start repairing this road next year. I also instruct to repair the Karaganda – Karkaralinsk highway. All work must be completed within two years. This will strengthen the tourism potential of Karkaralinsk," the President said.
Then the Head of State expressed his proposals for the development of single-industry towns. According to him, a significant part of the industry of the Karaganda region and almost half of the population of the region is concentrated in 5 single-industry towns. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on supporting entrepreneurship, providing outsourcing services, attracting investments, and creating new production facilities. This will avoid the dependence of residents on large enterprises.
– The national project "Strong regions – the driver of the country's development" is being implemented in our country. Akimat together with the Government should implement large–scale initiatives in small towns within the framework of this project," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
At the same time, the President instructed to develop a plan for the development of the coast of Lake Balkhash in order to increase the tourist potential of the city, as well as to consider the possibility of subsidizing air tickets to Balkhash and opening additional air and rail flights.
The Head of State said that residents of the Karaganda region constantly raise environmental issues. The President called on large enterprises to strictly comply with obligations, standards and norms related to environmental protection.
– The industrial development of the region should not go to the detriment of the interests of citizens and the quality of people's lives. The Ministry of Ecology needs to monitor this issue. Industrial enterprises, especially large ones, should more actively use modern treatment plants, improve production processes, and systematically engage in landscaping of territories. Such measures are being implemented throughout the country within the framework of the National Project "Green Kazakhstan". In addition, it is important to deal with special deductions of subsoil users, directing them to solving environmental problems," Kassym–Jomart Tokayev said.
According to the Head of State, the issue of ensuring safe working conditions at industrial enterprises of the region is acute.
– This is a fundamental moment for such an industrially developed region as Karaganda. For example, in 2022 alone, several deaths of employees occurred at the facilities of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC. Large companies must constantly invest in the modernization of production. The authorized bodies need to take systematic measures to increase the responsibility of enterprises for the growth of occupational injuries," the Head of State instructed.
The President expressed gratitude to the miners and metallurgists who forge the industrial power of the whole country with daily hard work. He stressed that their difficult work deserves special respect. He also expressed confidence that the owners of industrial enterprises, given the favorable price environment for raw materials, will be able to find opportunities to increase the wage fund.
– The era of oligarchic capitalism in Kazakhstan is coming to an end, a period of social responsibility to the citizens of the country is coming. Our citizens need an effective and socially responsible business that occupies a leading position in the country's economy. The state is committed to constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation. We will continue to create all conditions for entrepreneurs, we will consistently improve the investment climate of the country. And no one should have any doubts about this," the Head of State said.
In his speech, the President also spoke about the requests of miners who have been talking for a long time about the need to amend the Civil Code in terms of increasing recourse and pension payments.
– I understand people's needs and aspirations well. I would like to note that this is an extremely difficult issue, which concerns changes in the pension and tax systems, as well as the social security system. This issue needs to be considered in detail, taking into account the interests of colleagues, comrades, workers in other dangerous sectors of the economy, and all segments of society. The Government has certain developments. At the beginning of next year, the Government will make specific proposals to me," the Head of State noted.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev named water supply and agricultural development among the topical issues of the region's life.
– There is no clean water in 176 villages of the region. This year, 37 settlements will be provided with clean water. The issue of water supply to other villages must be urgently resolved. In recent years, there has been a rapid shallowing of Lake Balkhash. The technical condition of the Satpayev Canal, through which water enters the center of the country, is unsatisfactory. I instruct you, together with the relevant specialists, to carefully study these issues," the Head of State said.
Speaking about strengthening the agricultural potential of the region, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that over the past five years the number of horses in the country has doubled and reached 4 million. In this regard, the Karaganda region, which has extensive pasture lands, is one of the leading regions.
– However, not all lands fully benefit the country. Now we have started concrete work in this direction. On my instructions, the space monitoring of agricultural lands has begun. More than 20 million hectares of unused pasture lands have been identified in the republic. A special commission is engaged in their return to state ownership. More than 4.2 million hectares of land have already been returned, of which 1.1 million hectares are located in the Karaganda region. The lack of pastures in Kazakhstan, which ranks ninth in the world by area, defies reasonable explanation, the President believes.
The President also raised issues of developing the infrastructure of education, healthcare, sports and culture. According to him, activities in these areas directly affect the lives of citizens. The President called for paying special attention to the quality education of the younger generation. At the initiative of the Head of State, the national project "Comfortable School" was launched, which is being implemented throughout the country.
– In the next 3 years, new schools for more than 28 thousand places will be built in the region. Construction will begin next year. Therefore, the issues of land allocation and connection to utility networks should be resolved right now. The akim of the region is directly responsible for the timely and high-quality performance of these tasks. I instruct the Government to strictly control this work," Kassym–Jomart Tokayev said.
According to the President, one of the main tasks is the development of the medical education system. Karaganda Medical University trains qualified specialists for the whole country. This educational institution can be called a forge of medical personnel.
– The relevant ministry has proposed a project to create 5 hospitals at universities. One of them will be built in Karaganda. The construction of the university clinic should begin next year. It should be equipped with modern equipment. I am sure that the clinic will give a new impetus to the development of medical science and the introduction of new technologies in this region," Kassym–Jomart Tokayev said.
Having highly appreciated the sports achievements of the region, the Head of State pointed out the need to pay special attention to the development of sports infrastructure and mass sports. According to him, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for sports in the regional center, small towns, districts and villages.
As it was said further, additional heat sources are needed for the further development of the regional center. In this regard, the Government has been instructed to allocate the necessary funds to complete the construction of the third heat outlet in the city of Karaganda.
The President instructed the Akimat, taking into account the opinion of the residents of the city, to resolve issues related to the construction of a new ash dump of the CHP. He also stated the need to solve the problems of shareholders, increase the green fund for the development of public transport and ensure pedestrian accessibility for Karaganda residents. The latter is especially relevant due to the fact that the districts of the city are separated from the center and from each other by railways, an industrial zone and the private sector.
– Karaganda as an industrial locomotive of the country, one of the leading scientific, educational and cultural centers of Kazakhstan should become a more comfortable city to live in. The existing Master Plan for the development of the city since 2007 is very outdated. It needs to be comprehensively updated taking into account the advanced developments of urbanists and the opinion of the public," the Head of State said.
The President is convinced that the sustainable development of the city and the region is impossible without the broad involvement of citizens in the decision-making process. Public councils should consistently promote socially significant issues and defend the interests of the general population. Active participation of citizens in public administration is the key to the successful construction of a Fair Kazakhstan.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recalled that the Karaganda land has become a home for representatives of many deported peoples, victims of Stalin's repressions. Today, dozens of ethnic groups live and create here in peace and harmony, making a significant contribution to the sustainable progress of our country. According to him, in conditions when the modern world is going through unprecedented turbulence and tension, when the leading powers are experiencing a chronic crisis of mutual trust, it is more important than ever for the citizens of Kazakhstan to strengthen their fundamental values. Unity, solidarity, tolerance, mutual respect, compassion and willingness to always help each other are deeply rooted in our traditions and culture.
– I am convinced that the turquoise passport of the Republic of Kazakhstan should be a simple, but the most important "marker", we can say, a symbol of our national identity. It, in fact, demonstrates all the progressive principles on which our statehood is based. The passport of a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan embodies the fundamental values, thanks to which our country has become known throughout the world as a vivid example of interethnic and interreligious tolerance. Kazakhstan's passport is a symbol of justice and the nation's aspirations for the future. Our turquoise passport is recognized and respected all over the world. There are no restrictions on the Kazakh passport abroad, including the issuance of visas of foreign countries. This is a direct result of a balanced, responsible foreign policy and domestic policy of our country aimed at building a Fair Kazakhstan," the Head of State said.
The President stressed that Kazakhstan is widely known in the world as a responsible and dynamically developing country in international affairs, aimed at achieving progress in its development and striving for mutually beneficial cooperation. This is especially important against the background of a critically difficult geopolitical situation, the growing atmosphere of total hostility and distrust.
– Recently, Pope Francis, who, as you know, visited Kazakhstan in September, stated in one of his sermons that our country appears as a "place of meeting and dialogue ...", is "an engine in the promotion of peace and human brotherhood ...", puts at the center "efforts to create a world where they listen and respect each other...". These words of the Pontiff and one of the most authoritative spiritual leaders of mankind very succinctly characterize Kazakhstan and highlight our values. The essence of all the reforms I am carrying out is that every citizen of Kazakhstan feels his role and importance in the creation of the country," Kassym–Jomart Tokayev said.
At the end of his speech, the Head of State stressed that our country is entering a new political era.
– On the basis of the updated Constitution, the most important political institutions will be rebooted, an open and competitive economic system will be formed, working for the benefit of all citizens. We have taken only the first steps on this great path. We are faced with the task of radically reforming the judicial system and law enforcement agencies, as a result of which the rule of law and the rule of law should become the measure of our life. There should be a reassessment of values, diligence should come to the fore," the President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to Karaganda residents for their great contribution to the development of the country and called on the younger generation to hard work and patriotism.
– Patriotism is the main guarantee of preserving our statehood. There is no better virtue than love for one's homeland. There is no greater happiness than to serve your native people. Patriotism is not the beautiful slogans of those who come out on the square, but honest work for the good of the country. Alikhan Bukeikhan, a native of these places, said: "As long as I live, I will serve the Kazakh people." Thus, the leader of the Alash movement urged us to remain faithful to the interests of his country," the Head of State said.
At the end of the meeting, the President presented state awards to a group of residents of the Karaganda region.
The Order "Kurmet" was awarded to the coach-teacher of the Regional Specialized Children's and Youth School of the Olympic Reserve in table tennis Elvira Aliyeva and the head of the department of the regional clinical hospital Evgeny Morozov.
The Order "Enbek Danky" of the III degree was awarded to the head of the galvanizing and aluminizing shop of JSC "Arcelor Mittal Temirtau" Alexey Berga.
The medal "Eren enbegi ushin" was awarded to the head of the Tentekskaya mine section of Arcellor Mittal Temirtau JSC Artem Kasymov, the head of the Talbesyk Union of Mothers with Many Children Lazzat Kozakhmetova and the machinist of the Gorny section of Kazakhmys Coal LLP Alexander Komarda.